Looking for a last-minute Christmas gift that the wine lover in your life will truly appreciate? Or starting to fill up your 2025 calendar with exciting plans? Put Laithwaites’ Wine Festival in your diary (or tickets to one beautifully wrapped in your loved one’s stocking). Back for another year, the series of wine-sipping, glass-clinking informative festivals is the perfect opportunity for learned connoisseurs and curious novices alike to step inside the wonderful world of winemaking and discover bottles from across the globe. 

A family-owned wine merchant built on Tony Laithwaites’ inquisitive nature and a fortunate university geography field trip to Bordeaux in 1969, Laithwaites is one of the largest wine retailers in the world. From subscriptions and tastings to its annual events spread throughout the UK, Laithwaites invites you to uncover whites, reds, rosés, as well as Champagne and sparkling varieties from around the world. Need a little help discovering which tipple is your perfect pairing? The Wine Festivals are the ideal place to find out.

Kicking off on 7 March 2025 in Glasgow and then heading across the country, from Edinburgh and Cardiff to Belfast, London and beyond, Laithwaites’ Wine Festivals return in 2025 for a fully immersive experience. Expect opportunities to sample more than 100 wines (and over 250 at the London edition) as well as the opportunity to meet renowned global winemakers. Talk to the producers as they share their fascinating stories and learn about each grape, wine and brand with expert-led tastings. Laithwaites’ legendary wine host Grant Hedley, who has been working in the trade for more than 25 years, will also be on hand to impart his knowledge.

Enjoy wine masterclasses, including cheese and wine pairings, and explore artisan food stands to cleanse your palette and keep you fuelled. Don’t miss the ‘Merlot on the Dance Floor’ silent disco – a sensory experience exploring how music can alter the taste buds with guests encouraged to sample wines, headphones in. As intrigued as we are? Buy your tickets now and receive an early bird discount of 20 per cent off most tickets, making them just £24 each (£40 for London). Plus, new customers can receive an extra 30 per cent off with code 30OFF (valid until 7 January 2025).

For more information and to book your tickets, visit laithwaites.co.uk/winefestivals